Two Axis Solar Tracking System using Arduino for Boost Converter

Abstract

The Conventional sources of energy are rapidly depleting. Moreover the cost of energy is rising and therefore photovoltaic system is a promising alternative. They are abundant, pollution free, distributed throughout the earth and recyclable. The hindrance factor is it's high installation cost and low conversion efficiency. Therefore our aim is to increase the efficiency and power output of the system. The main aim of this project is to design a solar tracker which improves the conversion efficiency of the PV system. It is also necessary that constant voltage should be supplied to the load irrespective of the variations in solar irradiance and temperature. So it is necessary to couple the PV array with a boost converter. Moreover our system is designed in such a way that with variation in load, the change in input voltage and power fed into the converter follows the open circuit characteristics of the PV array. This system can be used to supply constant stepped up voltage to dc loads. Here there are two modes of operations are done based on weather condition. They are direct and indirect modes. In direct mode tracker uses LDR sensors to move the solar panel and in indirect mode it uses RTC to move the solar panel. Arduino UNO controller is used to control the motor rotation through motor driver IC based on the information coming from RTC and LDR.